What Causes Ignition Coil issues? Ignition Coils need to be in good condition and working properly for a vehicle’s engine to run correctly. So, most times when the engine is not performing as it supposes, it might be due to a failing ignition coil.
Moreover, the Ignition coils get power from the battery and transfer it to the spark plugs, thereby igniting the fuel and making a vehicle run.
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What Causes Ignition Coil
Most vehicles today have internal combustion engines that require fuel, air, and electricity to run. However, in modern vehicles, the ignition coil plays a very big role in supplying the electrical component to that equation. Just like I earlier noted, if you have an ignition coil that is failing, your engine will not run properly. Or it may completely stall. So, it’s important for drivers to know how to identify a failing ignition coil.
Common Symptoms of Failing Ignition Coil
Below are some common signs to look out for when looking to diagnose a faulty ignition coil.
Poor Fuel Economy
When you noticed a reduced performance in vehicle economy and lower MPG, it could be a sign of an ignition coil failure. Less power reaching the spark plug indicates that vehicles struggle and expend more fuel to compensate for insufficient power.
Car Backfiring
A backfiring car can be an early sign of an ignition coil failure. Caused due to unused fuel, emitted through the exhaust system. If this problem is not addressed, serious damage can also be done to the exhaust, resulting in preventable and expensive repairs.
Vibrations
Vibrations can result in failing ignition coil windings and insulation. Thereby causing shorts or breaks in the secondary windings.
Wear and Tear
Wear and tear is one of the common reasons for faulty ignition coils. However, it causes degrading of the insulation between the primary and secondary coil windings and the primary coil. And the reduction in insulation can cause the coil to overheat.
Overheating – What Causes Ignition Coil
The overheating of ignition coils can prevent their ability to conduct electricity. So, it can cause the coil to fail as time goes on.
Car Stalling
When the ignition coil is faulty, cars have irregular sparks emitting from the plugs to keep the car running, resulting installing. So, when you stop the car, it may shut off totally, forcing a restart.
Problems starting the vehicle
If you have trouble starting your car in the cold, this is a good sign of potential ignition coil failure. You can run a simple test on the HT leads to check if there is a spark going from each lead to each spark plug.
Damaged or worn spark plugs
If the spark plugs are worn out, it forces ignition coils to work at a much higher output. As spark plugs wear down, the gap in each spark plug is fired is widened which means that the coil needs to provide a higher voltage in order to bridge the gap. And the extra strain on the ignition coil may cause voltage overload leading to overheating and eventually failure.
How do you Replace a Damaged Ignition Coil?
If you sense that your ignition coil is having an issue, the next thing on your mind will be How to replace it. A lot of ignition coils have a plug-and-play design, making them easy to replace. If your car has this style of coils, even a relatively new DIYer can likely handle the replacement without the help of a technician.
Although, some coils are hard to access. If you’re going to be replacing the tool Yourself, then you will only Pay for the cost of the parts. But if you take it to the mechanic, you will not only pay for the parts but also pay for the workmanship. The cost will depend on your car’s make, model, auto shop etc.
Where is a Car’s Ignition Coil Located?
Where the vehicle’s ignition coil or coils is located, is strictly dependent on its make and model. Some vehicles have an ignition coil attached to every spark plug on the top of the engine block. While others have a single coil that ignites every spark plug in the engine. Although, you may have a car that has a cluster of ignition coils in a single pack.
